Slovenia Joins Ireland, Spain in Eurovision Boycott Over Israel

Slovenia's national broadcaster, RTV Slovenia, announced Thursday that it will not air the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, joining Ireland and Spain in a boycott prompted by Israel's participation in the event. The decision extends Slovenia's earlier withdrawal from competing, as the country protests the European Broadcasting Union's allowance of Israel amid ongoing criticisms of its military actions in Gaza. The 70th edition of the contest, featuring 35 countries under the slogan "United by Music," is set for May 12 to 16 in Vienna, Austria, with semifinals on May 12 and 14, and the final on May 16.

RTV Slovenia director Ksenija Horvat confirmed the broadcaster's stance, stating, "We will not be broadcasting the Eurovision Song Contest. We will be airing the film series Voices of Palestine, featuring Palestinian documentaries and feature films." This marks a shift from the event's traditional format, which drew 166 million viewers worldwide last year. Slovenia's move aligns with its government's vocal opposition to Israel's conduct in the Israel-Hamas war, including a ban announced in August 2025 on imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.